PAWL

pawl, detent, click, dog

(noun) a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

pawl (plural pawls)

A pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel so as to allow movement in only one direction (e.g. on a windlass or in a clock mechanism), or alternatively to move the wheel in one direction.

A similar device to prevent motion in other mechanisms besides ratchets.

Verb

pawl (third-person singular simple present pawls, present participle pawling, simple past and past participle pawled)

(transitive) To stop with a pawl.

Anagrams

• Walp, plaw

Source: Wiktionary

Pawl, n. Etym: [W. pawl a pole, a stake. Cf. Pole a stake.] (Mach.)

Definition: A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [Written also paul, or pall.] Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls.

– Pawl rim or ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.

Pawl, v. t.

Definition: To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off. To pawl the capstan. See under Capstan.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition